SOMERS, N.Y. – Todd Sandler grew up in Somers and majored in actuarial science in college. He then took what he thought would be a brief detour to help his brother make the short film “Corey.”

After “Corey” was enthusiastically received at the Westchester Film Festival, the Putnam Film Festival and the IFC Center, Sandler put statistics on hold to do graduate film work at NYU. An eight-year stint as in-house editor and director of technology at Pleasantville’s Jacob Burns Film Center followed.

It was at the Jacob Burns’ 10th Anniversary Tribute to Steven Spielberg, edited by Sandler, that Spielberg told him, “Nobody’s ever gotten me before, but you got me.” Two days later, Spielberg’s company, DreamWorks, enlisted Sandler to do promotional work on its WWI epic, “War Horse.”

Sandler has since worked with Disney, Paramount and Kennedy-Marshall, among others. Recently, he edited Robert Celestino’s “Leave,” starring Rick Gomez, Frank John Hughes and “Breaking Bad’s” Bryan Cranston.

He also collaborated with Celestino on two screenplays and co-produced a documentary with Jonathan Demme titled “I’m Carolyn Parker, ” which premiered in 2011 at the Venice Film Festival and was featured at the Toronto International Film Festival.

The Somers Daily Voice asked Sandler to name a few of the best things about Somers. Here is his reply:

Security

“Somers was a quiet and safe place to grow up. We lived in a nice community and generally had no worries. With all that’s happening today, it really makes you cherish those times.”

Education

"I had some wonderful teachers who were very encouraging to me. I still stay in touch with them."

Friendship

"My best friends, to this day, grew up with me in Somers."

Home Town Comfort and Support

"My brother and I made our first film, 'Corey', in Somers. Big achievement for us."

Convenience

"The proximity to New York City was huge for me growing up. Being able to explore the city and get exposed to all that culture was so easy because Somers had train stops just five minutes from our house."